Elkhart Police say they need more officers to fight rising crime

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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The Elkhart Police Department says the number of officers on the force hasn't kept pace with the growth of the city.

The Elkhart Police Department says it needs to hire more officers to fight rising crime and keep up with the city's growth. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 11, 2008 at 4:36 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2008 at 6:05 PM EST

ELKHART — There's rising crime and fewer cops on the streets in Elkhart. That's why Mayor Dick Moore asked city leaders Monday night to provide money from a reserve fund to hire more officers. Officers say they need the help.

Elkhart Police say they're busier than ever. One reason is a huge jump in graffiti in local neighborhoods.

"Graffiti is on the rise and we've talked about this before, where we are trying to combat that,” said Elkhart Police Lt. Ed Windbigler.

On top of that, officers are also seeing more cases of scrappers targeting vacant homes.

"Thefts that are taking place as the result of people taking copper and other siding off the side of the homes,” explained Officer Stan McCray.

But it's not just crime that's putting a strain on the police department. The number of current officers hasn't kept pace with the city's growth.

“We have grown in size over the past few years and haven’t kept up with it,” said Windbigler. “Our geographic area has increased, there is more industry, more houses that we are responsible for.”

Right now the department says that it is their hope to have more officers out on the streets to make more of a solid presence in the community.

''If they are continually seeing officers drive through the neighborhood, they'll think twice about committing a crime,” said McCray.

"Every extra officer on the street is a plus, not only for us but for the community, because they're seeing more, they're deterring more, they’re responding quicker to whatever happens,” Windbigler said.

“The need for additional officers is certainly there for us to be safe and do an efficient job,” McCray said.

The department is already down seven officers, and more will retire this year.

Mayor Moore wants to hire five new officers, as well as four new firefighters and eight new street department employees.

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